Severe weather results in power outages across D.C. region

WASHINGTON – Heavy rain and thunderstorms blew through the region this evening knocking out power for thousands of customers in the metro area.

The latest outages (as of 11 p.m.):

Dominion Power-13,000 customers in the dark, mostly in Spotsylvania and Stafford counties.

PEPCO-9,000 customers have lost power with most of the outages in Prince George’s County, where a tornado warning was briefly in effect.

SMECO-1,200 customers without power.

Rappahannock Electric-reported 4,000 outages.

BGE-reported 2,000 outages.

Maryland counties and D.C. remained under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. but the warning was lifted.

EARLIER: Friday – 4/19/2013, 4:16pm ET

WASHINGTON – The D.C. metro area is bracing for severe weather late in the afternoon and through the evening today.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch, which is in effect until 10 p.m. for the entire Washington metro area.

According to ABC 7’s Doug Hill, a cold front will move into the region this afternoon, bringing with it a chance for showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms may be strong-to-severe and there is a possibility for damaging winds. The area may see an inch or more of rain.

The storm is expected to exit off the coast by the early morning hours. For updated information on today’s weather, visit the WTOP weather page.